For the past 2 years, we have been working with other tree-loving community members to get trees labeled around the Cambridge Main Library (Joan Lorentz park). With help from the city arborist, these labels (with scannable bar-code for further information) are finally going up in the next month. The City is so impressed with this initiative, they are considering designating the area as the Cambridge Arboretum.

We have created a map and self-guided tour of these 26 trees. The purpose of this project is to raise awareness of the vital role of urban trees by helping people who pass them every day get to know them, somewhat like neighbors or people at a party with name-tags. Because of the library and Cambridge High School which share the property, this area gets a lot of foot traffic.

Though simple, this project is also profound: trees are vital contributors to the health of the city, but easy to ignore. Having a guide available at the library will enable many community members to learn a little more and be a source of inspiration to residents of all ages.

We are the right people to do this task because we are self-motivated, have already invested many, many hours in this project over a couple of years, show clear progress in enlisting the City's help, but prefer to broaden the base of support beyond the city's funding.